ESRL Global Systems Division

Queen Elizabeth Views Science On a Sphere™

NASA presenters gave a very special NOAA Science On
a Sphere™ (SOS) demonstration to HM Elizabeth II, Queen of
England and her husband, HRH Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh,
and other members of the Royal Family on Tuesday, May 8. The photo
below was taken at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC).

Queen Elizabeth II and entourage at
NASA/GSFC SOS™ demo

Among other things, the Royal visitors were shown
data sets including a Hurricane Katrina sequence, climate change
models such as Sea Ice Change, Nighttime Lights of the Earth, and
images of deep space and the planets.

The Royals showed great interest in SOS and the
presentation. Prince Phillip was especially engaged, interacting with
the presenters throughout, "continually peppering NASA administrator
Michael Griffin with questions." Instead of leaving with her
entourage, the Queen remained behind to take a better look at the
sphere.

NASA's Director of Sciences and Exploration Laurie
Leshin sent a letter of thanks to those who made this all come
together, including our NOAA SOS team, and she shared the news that
she had received a call from the British Embassy on May 8. "Josh
wanted to tell me personally how much the Queen and Duke had raved
about Science on a Sphere – he said it was a real highlight of
their entire visit." Josh now wants to bring the whole Embassy staff
to GSFC for a visit, including SOS, and the British Science Minister
wants to install one at the British Museum of Natural History.

SOS is a unique visualization technology that was
invented by Dr. Sandy MacDonald, Director of the Earth System Research
Laboratory in Boulder, CO. In August of 2005 NOAA received a patent
for SOS. Using computers coupled with video projectors, the system
presents NOAA's global science in an engaging three-dimensional
representation of the Earth's features as if they were viewed from
space. It is currently being installed at museums and science centers
throughout the United States.

One of NOAA's main mission goals is "Serve
Society's Needs for Weather and Water Information" and its performance
objective is to enhance environmental literacy and improve
understanding, value, and use of weather and water information and
services. Science On a Sphere™ maps directly into that goal.
This innovative technology is intended to educate multigenerational
audiences about ongoing NOAA research being conducted at many
laboratories.